Author

Committee Chair

Committee Member

Department

Dept. of Criminal Justice and Legal Assistant Studies

College

College of Arts and Sciences

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Homeland security is a concept that has become firmly embedded in American society since the events of September 11, 2001. While recent research has begun to study the implications of homeland security in state and local law enforcement, few have focused on perceptions of homeland security ideology, policy, and practice. Therefore, this study focuses on the impact that homeland security ideology, policy, and practice has had on the local law enforcement community by examining the varying levels of individual understanding, agreement, and support for the concept. Moderate levels of agreement were found regarding homeland security clarity at federal, state, and local levels of law enforcement. Variables measuring perceptions of consistency and departmental involvement in implementing homeland security strategies, post 9/11 funding, homeland security training, and number of agency collaborations and training activities were found to be the best predictors of perceived clarity. No demographic variables had a significant impact on perceptions of homeland security clarity.

Degree

M. S.; A thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Science.

Date

5-2010

Subject

Law enforcement -- Information resources management -- United States; National security; Terrorism -- United States -- Prevention; Interagency coordination -- United States